Swivel electrical connecter



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June 10, 1930. H. ROHRDANZ I SWIVEL ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Filed May 1, 1928 Patented 10,1930

PATENT; OFFICE HAROLD ROHBDANZ, OF INGLEWOOID, CALIFORNIA.

SWIVEL ELECTRICAL GONNECTER Application filed May 1, 1928. Serial No. 274,178.

This invention relates to an electrical connecter, and more particularly pertains to a swivel connecter for affording a rotary joint between a source of electrical supply and a 5 portable electric appliance.

An object of the invention is to provide an electrical connecter which, while affording electrical connections between electrical conductors leading from a source of electrical supply and a pair of conductors leading to an electrically operated appliance, such as a lamp, motor, heater, fiat-iron, curling iron, and various other appliances, not necessary to be here enumerated, whereby the appliance may be moved and transported without twisting or entangling the conductors leading therefrom.

Another object is to provide a simple and efi'ective means for maintaining an electrical revoluble parts, and which will maintain a constant electrical connection between the movable parts and yet not be subject to wear, as is the case where carbon brushes, spring wipers, and the like are employed in such connecters, and which will also obviate the difliculties and objections incident to the use of mercury in efiecting electrical connection between rotary parts.

trical connecter which will maintain complete contact between the relatively revoluble arts so as to avoid sparking due to the iormation of gaps, thereby obviating burningout of the connecter. 7

A further object is to provide a swivel connecter of the above character which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and which is safe, efiicient and durable in operation.

With the toregoin objects in view, together with such other 0 jects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the features and in the parts, combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a swivel connecter embodying the invention;

connection between inter-connected relatively I Another object is to provide a swivel electhe line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail in cross-section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view with portions broken away of an outer electrical conductive contact member;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an inner electrical conductive'contact member for tele' scopic engagement with the outer member shown in Fig. 6 for relative rotation therewith;

Fig. 8 is a detail in section showing the inner and outer relatively revoluble contact members as assembled and illustrating the manner of effecting electrical connection therebetween.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, A and B indicate generally the relatively revoluble inter-connected members of the connecter. The member A embodies a housing which may be of any suitable construe tion; being here shown as comprising a wall portion 9 from the opposite sides of which project annular end flanges or walls 10 and 11. Extending through the wall 9 and pro jecting axially through the space encompassed by the wall 11 is a conductor stem 1.2 which connects with a contact element 13 in the space encompassed by the wall 10. A conductor cylinder 14 is mounted in the space surrounded by the wall 11 in frictional engagement with the latter from which leads a conductor wire 15 passing through an opening 16 in the wall 9 and connecting with a contact element 17. The contact elements 13 and 17 are adapted for connection to the terminals of the pair of conductors of an electric circuit in a conventional manner, being here shown as forming the male members of a plug and socket connection, but which. obviously may consist of the usual screw socket connection.

The elements 1.3 and 17 are insulated from each other as are the stem 12 and cylinder 14: for which purpose, the walls 9, 10 and 11 may be formed of an insulating material preferably porcelain or hard rubber composition.

The member B embodies a wall 18 of in sulating material preferably insulating fiber on the opposite sides of which are mounted conductor plates 19 and 20; the plate 20 having a central tubular extension 21 which passes through the wall 18 and is adapted to surround the stem 12 in slidable contact therewith. 'An insulating sleeve 22 integral with the wall 18 encompasses the conductor tube 21 and surrounding this sleeve is a conductor cylinder 23 formed integral with the conductor wall plate 19; the cylinder 23 being spaced from the inner periphery of the cylinder 14. The plate is fitted with a binding screw 24 for connection with an electrical I conductor-25 and the plate 19 is formed with an extension 26 projecting past theinsulating wall 18 on which is mounted a binding screw 27 for connection with an electrical conductor 28. The wall 18 and plates 19 and 20 are encompassed by an insulating shell 29 having an end opening 30 through which the conductors 25'and 28 lead.

- As a means for connecting the members A and B, a screw 31 is screwed into engagement with the outer end of the stem 12 with its head extending over the conductor plate 20.

An important feature of the resent inven-.

' of felt washers 33 and 34 are interposed between the granular particles and the ends of the cylinder 14; the Washer 33 seating against the wall 9, and the washer 34 seating against an inturned marginal flange 35 on the cyl inder 14, By filling the space between the cylinders 23 and 14 with the granular conductive material 32, a constant electrical connection will be afforded between the cylinders at all times so as to maintain a closed circuit through the connecter during relative rotation of the members A and B. By the use. of the granular material 32 the contigu-' ous surfaces of the plate 19 and flange 35 need not be in contact in order to maintain a closed circuit through the connecter.

In the operation of the'invention on connecting the contact members 13 and 17 to the terminals of a pair of conductors of an electrical circuit, current may pass through the element 13, stem 12 and plate 20 to the conductor 25 or vice versa; the tube 21 affording substantial electrical connection between the pin 12 on the member A and the conductor plate 20 on the member B, and the granular materials 32 affording an electrical connection between the cylinders 14 and 23 as before stated.

It will be readily understood that the external construction of the members A and B may be greatly varied as occasion requires; the essence of the present invention residing in the swivel connection between such men bers aiforded by the stem 12 and tube 21 and the encompassing cylinders 14 and 23 with the granular material interposed therebetween.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction shown, but may employ such changes and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a swivel electrical connecter, a pair of spaced telescoping relatively revoluble electrically conductive members, and a fragmentary electrically conductive material occupying the space between said members whereby an electric current may be directed from one of said members to the other through 1 said fragmentary material.

' 2. In a swivel electrical connecter, a' pair of spaced concentrically arranged electrically conductive cylinders, means for supporting said cylinders inirelative rotary relation, an electrical conductor connected to each of said cylinders, and fragmentaryelectrically conductive material interposed between said members to maintain an electrical'connection therebetween.

3. In a swivel electrical connecter, a pair of spaced concentrically arranged electrically conductive members, means for supporting said members for relative rotation, and a mass of fragmentary metallic particles interposed between said members and affording an electrical connection therebetween.

4. In a swivel electrical connecter, an electrically conductive stem, a cylinder encircling said stem and fixed relative thereto, a sec-' ond cylinder encircling said stem and spaced from said first named cylinder, said cylinders being insulated from each other and from said stem and being relatively rotatable,

meansfor connecting said cylinders in one 7 line of an electric circuit, means for connecting the stem in the other line of an electric circuit, and a mass of loose particles of an electrically conductive material in the space between said cylinders to afford electrical connectiontherebetween 5. In a swivel electrical connecter, an electrically conductive stem, a cylinder encircling said stem and fixed relative thereto, a second cylinder encircling said stem and spaced from said first named cylinder, said cylinders being insulated from each other and from said stem and being relatively rotatable, means for connecting said cylinders in one line of, an electric circuit, means for connecting the stem in theother line of an electric circuit, a mass of loose particles ofan electrically conductive material in the space between said cylinders to afford electrical connection therebetween, and means for holding said cylinders against lortllgitudinal movement relatively to each t er.

- 6. In a swivel electrical connecter, a pair of spaced electrically conductive plates, means on each of said plates for connection with an electrical conductor, a pivot pin, a tube on one of said plates surrounding said pivot pin in slidable contact therewith, a cylinder connected to the other of said plates encircling said tube and insulated therefrom, a second cylinder fixed relatively to said pivot pin surrounding said first named cylinder and spaced therefrom, fragmentary electrically conductive material interposed between said cylinders, and means for connecting said pivot pin and said last named cylinder through a pair of electrical conductors.

In testimony whereof, I have afixed my signature.

- HAROLD RUHRDANZ. 

